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"Wavescan" is a weekly program for long distance radio hobbyists produced by Dr. Adrian M. Peterson, Coordinator of International Relations for Adventist World Radio. AWR carries the program over many of its stations (including shortwave). Adrian Peterson is a highly regarded DXer and radio historian, and often includes features on radio history in his program. We are reproducing those features below, with Dr. Peterson's permission and assistance.


Wavescan 391, June 23, 2002

Livinus Torty with the Story of Radio Nigeria

Our African DX reporter is Livinus Torty, and he lives in Nigeria. He sent us this Station Profile on the radio services in his country, compiled from several sources, including his own observations, which we have edited for broadcast. This is what he writes:

The original government radio service in Nigeria was organised as NBS, the Nigerian Broadcasting Service, in April 1951, at which time the three low powered shortwave stations already on the air were amalgamated into a single broadcasting body. This organisation was modified exactly six years later to NBC, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, at which time they moved into a new studio and office complex at Tugwell House in the capital city, Lagos.

At that time, the NBC was organised into two major sections; the Home Service produced programs for broadcast to listeners living in Nigeria, and the External Service produced programs for broadcast to listeners living in other countries, mainly within the continent of Africa. The External Service was later re-designated as VON, the Voice of Nigeria.

Radio Nigeria introduced a commercial service in 1960, though this was abolished some 18 years later. However, the commercial service on radio was re-introduced again in 1987.

A television service was introduced to viewers in Lagos in 1962. At first the TV service was fostered by Radio Nigeria, though nine years later the two services were separated and the TV service was designated as NTA, the Nigerian Television Authority.

FM broadcasting came to Nigeria in April 1997 with the introduction of "Radio Nigeria 2FM" in Lagos, the "Sunshine Station". These days, Nigeria is literally covered by radio, with more than 100 mediumwave stations, a national network of FM stations, all supplemented by local and regional shortwave stations.

Currently, FRCN, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, is upgrading its entire network of radio stations. They are going digital, as well as modernizing their shortwave facilities. The national headquarters is located in Abuja, and they operate four regional production centres.

So why not give Radio Nigeria a listen. You can check the World Radio TV Handbook for scheduling, and you can check your favorite DX magazine to find out just which channels are heard in your area.